However, the law is the law. And as such is an ass, yes. Disagreeing with it or consciously deciding to violate it is one thing, but smug amateur lawyering in which you pretend that it isn't supposed to apply to you is another. I don't see the good in this sort of thing. The FIDOnet operators in question are probably operating in good faith, whether mistakenly or no, their smugness or lack thereof is not in evidence, and if there is anyone you should be annoyed with, it is the federal agencies which have created such a chilling atmosphere that their belief resulted. Put another way, they're terrified of the feds. Terrified people make stupid mistakes. The root of the problem is the cause of the terror, not the mistakes that result. I think it would be more constructive, instead of trying to imprison the BBS operator for offending your aethetic judgement (I realize you were not serious, of course -- please accept my rhetorical license as no less broad than your own), to document to them the reasoned legal opinion of the appropriately credentialled M. Godwin, so that they may protect themselves from legal assault.